NATO Arctic Military Drills Heighten Risk of Escalation, Russia Warns of Direct Security Threat
According to a report by RIA Novosti in Moscow on September 21, Vladimir Maslennikov, Director of the Department for European Issues at the Russian Foreign Ministry and Russia’s senior representative in the Arctic Council, said in an interview with RIA Novosti that any military exercises conducted by NATO in the Arctic increase the risk of incidents, could trigger confrontation, and pose a direct threat to Russian security.
“As with any military drills by NATO in high-latitude regions, the ‘Northern Viking’ exercise likewise raises the risk of incidents that could escalate into armed confrontation and constitute a direct threat to Russian security,” Maslennikov stated.
In recent years, Russia has observed an unprecedented increase in military activities by NATO and EU member states. Moscow has previously emphasized it does not intend to attack European countries, but notes that the enhancement of military capabilities and further militarization in Europe will intensify tensions without contributing to a resolution of the conflict in Ukraine.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1876922215031876/
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